THE valiant campaign to keep HP in Birmingham may have failed - but union bosses still believe they can deliver a fatal blow to the food giant.

The American corporation ignored the national outcry and union rescue packages to tell workers the last bottle of HP will be made in Aston next March.

Night shift workers were given the night off last night after being told the devastating news at 6pm, but dejected Transport and General Workers Union chiefs claimed it was an empty gesture.

John Jordan, the T&G's national food and drink sector secretary, insisted Heinz had been presented with 'a viable rescue plan' to stay open.

"In over 20 years of doing negotiations with companies from across the world Heinz are without doubt the hardest to deal with," he said.

"Despite all our efforts to put together rescue packages to save this great institution they were just not interested and wanted to move abroad from day one."

He added: "Our priority has now changed from fighting to keep the factory open to fighting for a good compensation package for our men.

Zeff Qurreshi, senior shop steward at HP and T&G spokesman, added: "I am absolutely gutted at the decision - it is a sad day for Birmingham.

"I know all the workers feel the same and are very sad that Heinz would not change their mind about moving to Holland generations have given everything to HP and it has counted for nothing."

Zeff, who has worked at the Aston factory for 29 years, said: "The people of Birmingham have shown how much they care about the workers at HP through the Birmingham Mail's campaign and it is time they voted with their wallets to boycott Heinz products that are made abroad."

Heinz claimed it would save #25 million over the next ten years if the home of HP was shut forever.

David Hobin, Heinz vice-president, said: "We deeply regret having come to this difficult but necessary decision which has only been made after careful consideration of all alternatives.

"It is disappointing that we have not been able to find an alternative option that would close the financial gap.

"This difficult business decision is no reflection on our employees, who have continued to demonstrate their dedication and hard work throughout these challenging times."

The multi-national promised they would 'provide jobsearch help' for the 125 workers who are set to be unemployed in the Spring.